BDI Head of Strategic Research Development

University of Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 58,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Oxford’s Big Data Institute invites applications for Head of Strategic Scientific Research. The role provides senior‑level scientific coordination to advance the Institute's research mission, reporting to the BDI Director and partnering with departmental services across the University.

The post combines strategic implementation with operational leadership, overseeing major programmes, training initiatives, communications, events and financial planning.

Qualifications

• Post-graduate qualification, ideally a doctorate in biomedical data science or related field.
• Experience coordinating externally funded research programmes and supporting multi‑institutional or public–private collaborations.
• Experience contributing to financial oversight and business planning.
• Strong analytical and communication skills; ability to develop management information for senior academic decision‑making.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate major research programmes and partnerships.
• Support training initiatives such as the Oxford EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Health Data Science.
• Lead communications and events activity.
• Contribute to operational and financial planning.
• Support reporting, performance monitoring and long‑term planning for shared resources such as the Biomedical Computing Facility.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Education

Doctorate in biomedical data science or related field

Job description

BDI Head Of Strategic Scientific Research Development

Oxford Population Health (Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford), Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LFUniversity of Oxford – Nuffield Department of Population Health

BDI Head of Strategic Scientific Research Ref – 189681Grade 9: £57,721 – £66,608 per annum including Oxford Weighting Allowance

Oxford Population Health (the Nuffield Department of Population Health) provides an excellent environment for multi-disciplinary research and teaching and for professional and support staff. We work together to answer some of the most important questions about the causes, prevention and treatment of disease.

We are seeking an experienced Big Data Institute (BDI) Head of Strategic Scientific Research to provide senior‑level scientific coordination and strategic research support to advance the Institute's research mission. Reporting to the BDI Director, the post holder will act as a trusted partner, supporting the implementation of strategic scientific priorities and working closely with departmental professional services teams across the University.

The role combines strategic implementation with operational leadership. Responsibilities include coordinating major research programmes and partnerships, supporting training initiatives such as the Oxford EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Health Data Science, leading communications and events activity, and contributing to operational and financial planning.

Working with departmental finance and research support teams, the post holder will also support reporting, performance monitoring and long‑term planning for shared resources such as the Biomedical Computing Facility.

This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the strategic development of a leading interdisciplinary biomedical data sciences research institute.

To be considered for this role, you hold a post‑graduate qualification, ideally a doctorate in biomedical data science, computational biology, epidemiology, statistics, genomics or another related field. You will also have professional experience in a relevant research, academic or industry setting focused on one of the above thematic areas. You will have experience coordinating externally funded research programmes and supporting multi‑institutional or public–private collaborations, as well as experience contributing to financial oversight and business planning. Along with a high level of accuracy you will have strong analytical and communication skills and the ability to develop management information to support senior academic decision‑making.

This is a full‑time, fixed‑term post for three years in the first instance. Although fixed term in the first instance there is a possibility of the post being extended. Part‑time working will be considered. The closing date for applications is noon on 24th November 2026.

Tagged as: Life Sciences